Wednesday, August 29, 2012

After realizing how "comfy" the paint made the guest bedroom feel... I was on a mission to share the feeling with the places in the house that I actually spend my time in - the living room and kitchen.

I chose Bleeker Beige by Benjamin Moore...

...and am in love with the results! The paint really makes the rooms feel warmer. Can't wait to get stuff onto the walls and bring some more furniture in *smile*

Now... since I absolutely hate painting... yes... hate.... I had to hire a professional.

I called 3 local painters and a handyman.

I called the handyman first. He works for the commercial business management company that the company I work for leases from. Really nice guy who works mostly with his wife and oldest daughter on his jobs.

Ironically, as I was starting this post he texted me his quote.... even though he was suppose to give me this quote last Friday.....

"Sorry dude... job already done and looks FABULOUS!"

Since I have never done this before and couldn't find anybody to give me the name of their painter (or one that was still in business for that matter) my questions were:

* Are you licensed and insured?

*How long have you been in business for?

*Who would be doing the job?

Of the 3 companies - this is what I found:

Company 1: I called and filled out the "Give Me A Quote" feature on their nicely laid out website ( I was really eager to get a quote *wink*) but NEVER received a phone call..... How rude.

Company 2: Owner of the company returned my call and scheduled a time to meet on Sunday. Met the owner, he is licensed and insured (which I already knew from his website), found out he has owned his company since 1979 and that he and his son would be doing the job. Nice guy - explained to me how he would get the job done and gave me a couple of his next available dates.

Quote: $225 for 600-700 square feet (I would get the paint on my own).

Company 3: Owner of the company returned my call. His company is licensed and insured and he has over 30 years of experience in construction. I learned that he doesn't actually do the jobs but he will come by at the end to look over his guys work. Nice guy. After describing the space (current color, condition walls are in, moving furniture) he was able to quote me over the phone and said "Oh this will be a small job then."

Quote: $600-700 for 600-700 square feet

(Is he out of his mind!!! Who in their right mind would pay that much

for this "small job"!!!) I kindly told him that that was WAY out of my budget and he told me to call him if I change my mind. Sometimes I forget that construction is just BOOMING these days and small jobs like mine would just get in the way of all of their high ticket jobs.... I hope you read that in your most sarcastic tone *wink*

I chose Company #2 - Tim's Painting and could not be more pleased with how the rooms turned out.

The owner and his son, Tim & Tim Jr, were so thorough and meticulous.

Together they worked like a well oiled machine and got the job done. While cutting in, Tim Jr. found that my plant shelf in between the kitchen and living room didn't even have primer on it leaving in covered in dust (and cat hair.... darn Brody) ekkkk! Tim Jr. grabbed my Dyson and held it as Tim climbed the ladder and vacuumed it up, then painted it so I could easily dust it in the future. How awesome is that!! Tim doesn't believe in cutting corners and knows that word of mouth is the best advertisement for his business to be successful.

What I liked the most is that they didn't take a 15 minute cell phone & smoke break every hour... in fact, the only break they took was a 30 minute lunch break were they sat in their van and ate their packed lunch.

These are my own thoughts and words about this company... in fact, they don't even know that I blog. I do hope people read this though, and if you live in my area, contact them for your painting. Such nice guys and I would love to get them some extra business.

Friday, August 24, 2012

So, it felt like Christmas today - not by the weather by any means - but because the FEDEX and UPS man brought me TWO very special gifts!

First was my new computer that I told you about here and then came this pretty BIG box that is going to help me earn me a little extra money and meet new people.

After waiting a whole 5 days (I know it doesnt seem like a long time but when you order it on a Sunday night and it doesnt come until Friday afternnon it feels like an entire year!) it finally arrived and I am thrilled!!! In the box is everything I need to get my little business going - from mini-catalogs to totes.

I am hosting my very first open house in two weeks and will hopefully be able to book some parties through that. I know absolutely nothing about hosting a party, which makes me nervous, but my wonderful senior consultant is helping me out every step of the way and I couldn't be more greatful!

Hope you all have a great weekend... It's time for me to go play with all of my new toys *wink*

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Just when I get my office all organized and set-up the way I like it (No, you didn't miss anything.... I just mean I rearragned the furniture, bought a new bookshelf, and put together some hammie-down "cubes" - but I will post pictures later) my computer takes a dump on me!

The darn thing won't even turn on....
Not even a turn on... and then shut down.... kinda of thing....

Makes me so aggrivated because I can't do anything about it.... I am horrible with electronics.... if it brakes, I buy a new one!

My computer is actually a mix of different brands...

The tower (haha, yes... I use very tenchical terms here on Come On Over)
is from a bro-friend who upgraded his computer and passed his down to me....

The monitor was a gift from the same bro-friend to the boyfriend

and the cheap-o mouse and keyboard was purchased at Wal-Mart when I realized we didnt have one ..... and I really wanted to get use it!

Now... this isnt the first time this has happened....
I have had a couple of on-going issues with this computer...
Don't get me wrong... I'm thankful my friend helped me out ...
but I need something more reliable....
I mean... I'm a college student and an aspiring professional blogger for goodness sakes *wink*!

So.... naturally... I did what I always do when something like this happens....
I called Mom....

Mom came to the rescue and looked online to see if I should get a new tower to replace the old one or or a whole new set-up...

Even though I hate to make such a big purchase off of only a days worth of whinningkicking screaming research, I decided on this guy from Amazon...

Its the HP Omni 120-1130 20-Inch Desktop (Black) for $522.07
I work on a similar computer at work and haven't had any issues with it *smiles*

Can't wait for it to come so I can set it up and get back into my routine!

Friday, August 17, 2012

This ole piece of furniture may not look like much to you... but I have had my eyes on it since I bought the house in May 2011.

This tool cupboard was built by my great-grandfather from Michigan in the late 1940's. In it he would store his hammes, screws, saws, oils, etc. When the house was sold in the early 1990's, my grandmother sold the cupboard at an auction for $500 but the guy never came to pick it up, so it sat at my grandmothers house. After my grandmother passed away, the cupboard, a long with some other mementos, were placed in the wrong hands hands of a family member from 2003-2010.

As a Christmas present for my Mom, the boyfriend and I drove up to Michigan in December 2010 to get this, my great-grandmothers piano and a couple other boxes.

As you can see this tool cupboard is in need of some TLC. Mom had plans to re-paint and put it in her guestroom, but since I begged asked so kindly, she finally gave in passed it down to me.

My plans for this baby, you ask?

All I know is I want to paint it something different then anything in my house (won't be to hard as long as I stay away from the tan, cream and brown I suppose, haha)

But also LOVE the seriousness of the Typewriter color (the base color) too!

I really feel like doing this project this weekend though (so anxious to get my guest bedroom done!)... and since Miss Mustard Seed's paint won't be available to me for a little while longer, I may make a trip to Home Depot this Saturday and just pick out the color and DO IT! (or, knowing me, bring home little samples to think about it for another week or two *wink*)

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

I found (okay... so the boyfriend actually spotted this one)
at a used furniture store that was closing over the weekend.
Originally marked for $150 (I believe), they had everything marked down and
we were able to leave with it for $50!

I needed a coffee table, but wasn't really looking for one since I had been using the ottoman from the over-sized chair and liked that we can put our feet up on it. *wink*

I fell immediately in love with it in the store but was a little apprehensive about it since it was definitely bigger then the ottoman and the style is different (although the look I am wanting to change to) then the other pieces in the house.

But.... I am completely happy with it!
Love the different compartments too... already put some of Brody's toys in one side to get them out of the way *wink*
Can't wait to add accents on to it!

Okay fellow bloggers, tell me, have you seen this coffee table before? I have looked all over it for the maker but can't find anything. I really want to get one matching end table but I'm not having any luck!

HELP!

I also picked up this picture in hopes of it working out in my master bathroom plans *smile*

This caught my eye in the store, and reminded me of this picture from Little Brown Pen's Etsy Shop

Friday, August 10, 2012

My style is very Pottery Barn -Traditional (most days) but I have this little bit of Country in me that is dying to come out! So I'm taking all of that and throwing in into one room of the house.... the Guest Bedroom.

I have been working (....slowly working) on decorating my guest bedroom the last couple of weeks and I think I am ready to finish the rest and get this room completed